Moments...

Good morning my warrior sisters-

Well it's Memorial Day in the US and a time of reflection for the past.  I don't think we remember enough because if we did, humans wouldn't be where they are. Needless to say, I'm reflecting on all those that were lost from the beginning due to human selfishness and hate.

War is not something new. It's been around since the beginning of time. If the evil one can stir up hate in the heart, the human will go for it. This cycle causes wars and the only difference between one human or another is if God's with you or against you.

I think I'm reflecting on this so much because time is ticking away and moments are flying by.  I think after a certain age you really feel the time. You blink and you're in June and then you blink again and it's December. It's almost as if you can't hold onto it and I believe that's exactly what God intends in the last days. Pure surrender to time, life and our will.

He's not interested in our chosen purpose, career, need to be seen or cause. He's only interested in what He's placed in our hearts to do and each moment we are here on earth, He's preparing us for that purpose. In addition, he is refining us, walking with us and holding us in His perfect love.

Humans really don't understand the word LOVE unless you've read the Bible. To us, it's a romantic feeling but in God's realm it means so much more. The words patience, kindness and forgiveness are reflected in the Bible time and time again and if you ask the Lord He will show you this reflection in the word.

The world is counter cultural from how God intended us to live, work, procreate and worship. We were to live to glorify Him. We were to work unto Him. We were to procreate and fill the earth with children that would bring glory to the kingdom and as we put the kingdom first, we would worship His holy name.  Today our moments are filled with "I want,"  "I need," "I deserve," and "What's in it for me." Everywhere I look people are developing careers out of finding their happiness. Really, we've become that self-centered that we have coaches to help us find our happy place.

There's nothing wrong with being happy or finding delight in the birds, in adventures, in traveling but when everything comes down to freedom, possessions and I, we've done something very wrong. There are only so many moments we have to love our neighbor, forgive those that have done us wrong and promote kindness to our fellow man. The Lord has spoken and we must partake in the kingdom's glory over our own.

Tomorrow is not promised for that is also written in the word of God. So as we enjoy this wonderful day off, remember all those that fought for us, all those who sacrificed so we could worship in freedom, and our God who died for our sins. I am humbled by the descriptive words in the Bible and for the direction I must move in order to fulfill my purpose. Our God is a God that gives us moments to glorify Him, let's take some time today to reflect on the sacrifices humans have paid for us to have moments to worship Jesus.

Be well my sisters and know that God is with us so that we can make moments on earth that matter.

1 John 4:7 (ESV)

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

Why didn't Lot's wife let go?

Good morning my warrior sisters-

I hope you are waking up to the anticipation of God's love today. I sure did. Do you ever wonder why we give up his hope, his love, his mercy because we aren't going down the path we had planned for our lives?

We make plans, all of us do, and often we are let down when those plans don't come into fruition. Take for example a young woman anticipating this is going to be the time, only to see the pregnancy test has failed once again. It might be a woman in her 30's hoping to be married. All of her friends are married, why can't she be? Or maybe it was the job you had waited for all your life, that would provide security and longevity, only to watch it go down in flames.

Life has a way of taking us on a journey that doesn't match our plan. Some of it is impacted by the world and the evil that lurks here and some is us. If we want to be liked more than serving God, you might just find yourself in a situation where you aren't liked. It might be we've put money and things before God and He might decide to take them away. You might not be getting pregnant because he has a beautiful soul waiting for you to adopt or foster. We all have things in our life that we think about way too much and it's those things that often we need to surrender and let God lead us.

In the case of Lot, they had money, power, prestige and many friends. They were well known but Sodom had become a place that was so evil God needed to destroy it. All the worldly possessions and accolades distorted what was true and godly.  When God told Lot he must leave because he was going to destroy the city, they fled but someone couldn't surrender all that they had in that city. Lot's wife, who has no name, turns and in moments is gone. Why? Because God told her she must surrender to live but the pull for the treasures on earth were so strong, she turned.

I wish I could say I've never done that but that would be a lie. There are things in my life that I've coveted and I still struggle with certain aspects today. I still make plans and sometimes those plans come to fruition and sometimes they tank. Like many, I like to be liked. I want to be included and for people to respond to me. I want to be successful in what I do, to be a good mom and wife and to be a servant unto the Lord. I want to give back without getting and I want to be known.  All of these things are good as long as they don't become the ONLY direction of my heart.

In the last months, God has given me a glimpse into two important directions for my life. One is to be unseen and be right with that and the other is to let Him guide me with His rod and staff. To be His lamb and to surrender every desire at His feet. It has been powerful in my life. I am being taught new ways to think, how to control my desires and align them with His and more importantly, I've drawn closer to Him.

Like Lot's wife, I want to hold on but the most healing, hopeful thing we can do is let go and surrender to God.

If you're struggling today, know there is hope. Open your hands and say, Lord please help me to surrender_____________. He will! I promise.

Let's be like Jesus and surrender our will for His!

Luke 17:32 NIV

Remember Lot's wife!

Have a great day and always remember there is hope in Jesus.